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Bucketlist Bri

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Riding the Banff Gondola: Everything You Need to Know

Last Updated: August 1, 2022 · Canada

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The Banff Gondola is one of the top things to do in Banff during the summer. Unparalleled mountain views, combined with fun activities the whole family can enjoy, make this gondola ride one of the best in Banff National Park.

In this post, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about the Banff Gondola Experience. Is it worth it? How much does it cost? When should you go? I answer all your questions and more down below.

The Ultimate Guide: Banff Gondola

Panoramic view of mountains and river surrounding Banff townsite
The view from atop the Banff Gondola

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Gondolas in Banff — Which is Better?

There are actually a few gondolas that run during summer in Banff, not just the “Banff Gondola” — a bit confusing, right? Which one you visit is up to you and your budget, but they each will provide panoramic, incredible views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

Banff Gondola — The one this post is about! The Banff Gondola takes you up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. It’s located near the Banff Upper Hot Springs as well, so many people do both activities in one go.

Mount Norquay Chairlift — Mt Norquay is a ski resort. In the summer, you can ride in their 10-minute open-air chairlift up into the sky. At the top, you can hike, dine, or attempt to cross the Via Ferrata! Their ski resort is 100% green-energy powered.

Banff Sunshine Summer Gondola — Banff’s longest and biggest gondola, accommodating up to eight family members. The ride will take you up to Sunshine Village Ski Resort.

Lake Louise Summer Gondola — The fourth and final gondola in Banff National Park is located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, about 45 minutes away from Banff townsite. In the summer, you can get unparalleled views of Lake Louise from the sky while optimizing your chances to observe grizzly bears in the wild.

The Banff Gondola — Is It Worth the Ticket Cost?

Sunset atop Sulphur Mountain with forest and mountains and the Banff Gondola Summit Station
View of the Summit Station

A ride up the famous Banff Gondola in the summer will cost you between $50–$60 CAD. The rates are dynamic, meaning they can vary depending on whether it’s a weekday, weekend, availability, etc.

You’ll need to reserve your ticket in advance to ensure you have your desired loading (departure) time. If you arrive and get tickets at the window, you may be queuing for a while.

Click here or on the below image to get your tickets on GetYourGuide.

If you have the budget to do only one gondola in Banff National Park, I would recommend either the Banff Gondola or the Mt Norquay Chairlift.

🎟 Before 10am, kids get free admission when accompanied by at least one paying adult!

How to Get to the Banff Gondola From Town

Aerial view of the Bow River, Tunnel Mountain, and Fairmont Banff Springs hotel (as seen from the Banff Gondola ride)
Tunnel Mountain, Bow River, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

The convenience of the Banff Gondola is that it lies just five minutes from downtown Banff.

The easiest and most sustainable way to get there is to take the Roam Transit shuttle (Route 1). Since there’s limited parking at the top, it’s safer to just leave your car at the free parking lot by the Banff Train Station and take the Roam shuttles to get around (for cheap!).

You can also drive, but you run the risk of not finding parking (since both the Gondola and the Upper Hot Springs are popular attractions).

Want another way to get to the Banff Gondola? 🥾
You can skip the Gondola ride but still reach the top of Sulphur Mountain with a moderate, 10km, 2.5+ hour hike up a series of switchbacks. The gondola trolleys actually ride right over the trail to get up the mountain. It’s not the most scenic hiking trail in Banff, so if you only have time to get in one hike during your trip, I’d choose something like the Big Beehive hike in Lake Louise.

How Long Does it Take to Ride the Banff Gondola?

Sunset atop Banff Gondola with sunset glow on forest trees and snow-capped mountain peaks
Sunset glow atop the Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola ride lasts about 7-8 minutes from bottom to top and vice versa. The views of Banff, Tunnel Mountain, the Bow River, and the peaks around the town on the way up are phenomenal, with windows looking out to your left (if your back is facing the mountain slope).

You should be in line at least 10-15 minutes before your “loading” time indicated on your ticket. If you get to the station in advance, there’s a gift shop and a modern Starbucks inside to keep you busy (and satiated!)

Can you hike up Sulphur Mountain and take the Banff Gondola down? Yes, but you must reserve your ticket/departure time in advance. You can’t just show up at the top and purchase a one-way ticket; they will not allow it.

What to See & Do at the Top of the Banff Gondola

Three silhouettes of people on Banff Gondola Boardwalk overlooking snow-capped mountains at sunset
The Banff Gondola boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak

Watch the “Spirit of Banff” Short Film

One of the highlights of the Banff Gondola Experience, in my opinion, is the short film, The Spirit of Banff, which plays every couple of minutes inside the small and cozy multi-sensory theater.

The quick 2-minute film will take you on an emotional journey as you watch Banff transform over the years in front of your eyes. It’s a very sweet story, with a very powerful message:

We must do everything we can to protect this special, fragile, and wild place for generations to come.

Don’t miss it!

Enjoy the interpretive Center

The Interpretive Center is a fun little attraction inside the modern Summit Station. There are plaques to read, fun facts, and immersive, self-guided activities to do with your family.

Everyone wants to hurry out onto the 360-degree view platform outside but in doing so they miss out on the opportunity to learn about Banff a little deeper.

Snow-capped mountains and forest with people walking on Banff Gondola boardwalk below
Banff Gondola Boardwalk

Hike the Boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station on Sanson’s Peak

The boardwalk hike is a must-do when atop the Banff Gondola. It’s an easy, 30-minute hike on an elevated boardwalk that will take you to the Cosmic Ray Station atop Sanson’s Peak.

Along the way, enjoy immaculate views of the Rocky Mountains!

Tip: Go for sunset and enjoy that golden glow as it shines through those snow-capped peaks! ☀️

Cosmic Ray Weather Station atop Sanson's Peak on Sulphur Mountain (Banff Gondola Experience)
Sulphur Mountain Weather Station

Enjoy Beer & Live Music on the Outdoor Patio

The Peak Patio is an outdoor patio offering fresh air paired with mountain views and a refreshing beer. While they do serve food, it is more light bites and snacks. I’d go for the live music and brews, then maybe head inside for dinner.

Have Dinner with a Million Dollar View

The Sky Bistro inside the Summit Station is one of the best places to enjoy dinner with a million-dollar mountain view in Banff National Park. Their menu features unique Canadian dishes made with regionally-sourced vegetables, meats, and ingredients. If Sky Bistro is full, you can also enjoy a marketplace, buffet-style meal inside at their Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen.

360-degree Sky Deck viewing platform atop Banff Gondola Summit Station
Banff Gondola Sky Deck

Ready to ride? 🚠
Click here to purchase your Banff Gondola tickets

Image of Banff Gondola Summit Station with text overlay "Complete Review Banff Gondola Ride" in yellow and green
Gallery images of Banff Gondola with text overlay

By: Bri · In: Canada

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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@bucketlistbri

You need to add this short and fun hike to your BC You need to add this short and fun hike to your BC bucket list! 

📍Whistler Train Wreck 
🥾Easy - 2.6km roundtrip, 15 mins one-way 
🚂 Features 7 mangled railway cars from a 1956 train wreck, now covered in graffiti and art
🚴‍♀️ Popular spot for mountain bikers, artists, and filmmakers 
🐻 Bears in the area, be wildlife-wise! 
🚙 Free parking on Jane Lakes Rd
☀️ Best time to go is early morning to avoid crowds 
📸 Don't forget your camera! (Or if you're me, your SD card...🤦‍♀️) 

This place is definitely giving The Upside Down vibes, right? 😲

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#whistlerbc #trainwreck #graffiti #artinnature #trainwreckhike #whistlercanada #uniqueplaces #trains_worldwide #hikingculture #hiketheworld #beautifulbritishcolumbia #seatosky #whistlerbc #upsidedown
BANFF ITINERARY👇 My 'Ultimate 7-Day Banff Itin BANFF ITINERARY👇

My 'Ultimate 7-Day Banff Itinerary' is now live on the blog! You don't want to miss out on this post -- it is JAM-PACKED with fun adventures to be had in Banff National Park! 🏔💃 

✨ Day 1 — Banff Town
Hit up the breweries, ride the gondola, visit natural thermal springs, and more! Read the post for deets.

✨ Day 2 — Lakes
Check Lake Louise and Moraine Lake off your bucket list! Simple to follow tips on how to get there (because in reality, it's a nightmare).

✨ Day 3 — Adventure Time
From mountain biking to rock climbing to whitewater rafting, there are many awesome summer activities in Banff to enjoy with friends or family.

✨ Day 4 — Road Trip the Icefields Parkway
Literally alllll the deets on the blog, go read it! 

✨ Day 5 — Hike! 
I recommend three epic day hikes to do in Banff, one of each difficulty (easy, moderate, challenging).

✨ Day 6 — Picnic & Paddling
Explore more of Banff's amazing lakes, but this time a little more off the beaten path.

✨ Day 7 — Final Activities + Departure
Depending on your itinerary, you may have time to squeeze in one last activity! Check the blog for the list! 

To think we were in Banff last week of June, and it's already the first week of August. 🥲 Time is F L Y I N G. Don't sit on your moment to take that trip, hit publish on that blog post, or whatever it is you really want to do! 

As always, send me your questions! xx 

#lakelouise #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #bigbeehive #banffblog #newblogpost #adventureblogger #travelblogger #canadatravel #canadablog #hikebanff #banfftrip #albertaviews #albertatourism
As slow-traveling digital nomads, we often get ask As slow-traveling digital nomads, we often get asked, “How do you find housing in the countries you travel to?” After exchanging glances with Paul, I start, “Well…” And in short, I explain that renting an apartment overseas involves a whole bunch of keyboard strokes.

Housing abroad is often much cheaper than renting an apartment in the States (depending on where you live, obviously). It’s also much easier to rent for extended periods.

Ultimately, our journey as digital nomads over the last 7 years has taught us that finding the “golden nuggets” of accommodation options abroad takes patience and practice!

But practically speaking, how does one rent an apartment abroad even if you’re not in the country yet? How do you send money across currencies without incurring huge bank fees, and what should you be wary of?

Read my full blog post "How to Find & Rent an Apartment Abroad" on my blog for all the details! Link in bio @bucketlistbri 🌞

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#livingabroad #digitalnomadtips #nomadiccreators #rentingabroad #expatlife #remotework #locationindependence #laptoplifestyle #nomade
BANFF SUMMER BUCKET LIST 🌞👇 Get the full li BANFF SUMMER BUCKET LIST 🌞👇

Get the full list of 25+ things to do this summer in Banff National Park in my latest blog post (link in bio, @bucketlistbri)

🚴‍♀️ Mountain e-biking 
🚠 Banff Gondola
💦 Upper Falls at Johnston Canyon
🐌 Natural thermal springs at Cave & Basin
🐎 Horseback riding
💦 Bow Falls Trail near downtown Banff
🛶 Whitewater rafting on the Bow River
🛶 Canoeing/paddling on glacier-fed lakes
🚌 Road tripping the Icefields Parkway
🥾 Hiking Big Beehive at Lake Louise 

Head to my blog bucketlistbri.com for more Banff travel guides! ✨ 

#banfftravel #banffalberta #summerincanada #summerbucketlist #canadianrockymountains #rockymountains #banffnationalpark #mybanff #banfflakelouise #lakelouise #caveandbasin #bowlake #banfftrip #banffgondola
My word for August? Action. 👇 Action is the k My word for August? Action. 👇 

Action is the key that unlocks living fully. 

It’s the transformational step that manifests all thought & theory & intention into existence, into being, into becoming that very thing. If we want to become a certain someone then we have to act the way that certain someone would act. Every now and then, I will struggle to identify as X because I’ve been resisting doing those actions that require me to be X. 

Take blogging, for example. I’m a full-time blogger but for weeks I have been prioritizing *everything* else other than blogging (social media, ahem). Soon enough, like so many times before, I fall into a dark pit where little light gets in or gets out. I begin to un-know myself and focus more on short rewards & results rather than my purpose or my fulfilled self on a daily basis. To get back to my knowing, and to my identity as a blogger, I had to start blogging again — because it’s the action that unlocks the person, not the thought or intention. 🔐 

Let’s take another example —

In my mind, I’ve always been someone who journals. After all, journaling at a young age is what ultimately led me to blog online throughout my college years, which is what is leading me today as a professional blogger and in my writing journey toward becoming a published author. But, if we look back at this year, the number of times I actually journaled — put pen to paper or typed my thoughts out in a Google Doc — can be counted on one hand. But in the last two weeks, I’ve chosen to turn that belief about myself into action. Now I journal for five minutes every morning and night. The result is that I am now someone who journals because it’s my actions that make it so. 

The true results are that I’m living more fully, by taking action and fulfilling the beliefs I have about myself, or at least the beliefs I have about who I wish to be. The key lies in the doing. If you want to become a blogger, you have to do the action over and over again to become it. 

Thanks for reading — just some reflections I wanted to share!

How are you taking action in August? 🦁
Answering one of our FAQ: “How do you travel ful Answering one of our FAQ: “How do you travel full-time with a cat?”

I’ll let the Reel do the talking, but if you have questions please drop it in the comments and I’ll get back to you!!

Would your cat enjoy a travel lifestyle? 🐾

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#adventurecat #pettravel #catonaplane #digitalnomadcouple #nomadicewithpets #cattravel #travelcat #nomadiccreators #catvanlife #catsonleash #fulltimetravelers
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